I have given it thought. I have seen numerous well-known and respected artists who have nudes online. I Google's several such as Jennifer Aniston, Milla Jovovich (who is one of my celeb look-a-likes)... Even Katie Holmes. I think the photographer who previously offered me a gig has since opted out due to my somewhat heavy hesitance... But, I feel that, seeing as how I do not plan to enter into a major corporation or attend an Ivy League school, nudes would be an enlightening experience for me.

Hunter Wald - how would I go about posing nude for an art class? Also, if you are ever in the area, feel free and welcome to contact me for a "contribution only", or "mutual benefit of portfolios" thing. Or... of course even paying work, if interested.

Although I shoot my fair share of implied, topless and nudes, I HIGHLY suggest that all models think long and hard before shooting these images.

For those who plan on becoming school teachers, or many "corporate" careers a few years down the line, these images can come back to haunt you. In "most" cases, I don't think the negative ramifications are that much to worry about. But....just make sure to think down the road girls as you just never know.

I can't tell you how many time I've been contacted by models who pleaded for me to take their topless images off of MM as a BF was upset, they were scared their boss would see them, etc, etc.. (I oblige even though I have an iron clad model release AND gave them strong admonishments.)

I can only speak for myself, but as a photographer I don't want to waste my time shooting any form of nudes if I can't use the images to promote my work. (The editing alone takes hours of time)

So if you are proud of your body, want to capture yourself with unclad images in perhaps the "prime" of your life, and feel there will be no chance for regrets, DO IT! Just make damn sure you select a photographer who has been around for awhile and due your due diligence in checking them out.

EmilyRebecca89 wrote: I have given it thought. I have seen numerous well-known and respected artists who have nudes online. I Google's several such as Jennifer Aniston, Milla Jovovich (who is one of my celeb look-a-likes)... Even Katie Holmes. I think the photographer who previously offered me a gig has since opted out due to my somewhat heavy hesitance... But, I feel that, seeing as how I do not plan to enter into a major corporation or attend an Ivy League school, nudes would be an enlightening experience for me.

I know what you're worried about. "If I start with nudes will I be stuck only shooting nudes for the rest of my days?"

That's what I worried about. At my very first shoot we started shooting clothed images and started losing clothes as we went until I was shooting nude. However I didn't start modeling with the intention of developing a career...I started modeling because I lost almost 100lbs and I was still seeing myself as fat so my husband (brand new boyfriend at the time) took a bunch of pictures of me and we posted them online and BAM! photo shoot offer. I wasn't going to go but my husband insisted I do it to see myself through a stranger's eyes and not only did I have a great time but I was very impressed with the results!

I do still shoot a lot of nudes, but that is by no means all I shoot. I get offers for all kinds of different themes and styles, for paid and TF gigs. I know I didn't enter the modeling world the way most people do, but I don't regret a thing!

There are few things worse than a 'nude' model who is unsure if she should be doing it or not.

And don't forget that the images will almost certainly end up on the internet and will be seen (eventually) by everybody you might not want them to be seen by.

It sounds to me as if you are being pressured by your b/f and the lure of some cash and will most likely regret it if you go ahead with it.

++ I agree. I absolutely won't do nudes at this point. Try modeling for a year and see if it's something you are happy with and want to make your work and social identity. There are many businesses where your career could be hurt by having nudes floating around.

There is a GREAT misconception amongst models that if they are going to succeed in modeling that they have to strip. The reality is that nothing could be the farthest from the truth. You DO NOT have to take your clothes off to be a successful model. But you can sure as shit destroy things by doing it, just ask Venessa Williams. She stripped for Penthouse and did some racy girl on girl shots and it cost her her Miss America crown.

And always keep in mind that the internet is forever. If you are looking at a career other than modeling and have nudes online, it may seriously impair your ability to get a job. More and more employers are doing extensive internet searches on prospective employees. Having nudes online, either here or anywhere else, if discovered, could relegate your resume and application to the circular file without you even knowing it. Prospective employers are under no legal obligation to tell you why you were no longer considered for employment. And what about relationships? Maybe a new boyfriend would have a problem with it, and that is certainly his right whether you agree with it or not, and that could be the end of that relationship. And lastly, if you sign a model release, and you always should, if you have second thoughts about it, the photographer is usually under no obligation to remove any nudes of you from their website, sites who bought the images, etc. You are now stuck with it, remorse or not.

Like with nearly evrything in life, our actions have consequences, both good and bad. The path our lives take is the sum of those consequences. Once you have shot nudes, you have potentially set yourself up for bad consequences. If you intend to work in education or the health care industry, you are best advised to not do it.

May S wrote: Honestly, it is not that hard to keep your nude shoots private. Unless you are going to shoot for porn/fetish websites or major publications, your work will not be very visible. I have never had a friend of family member stumble on my nudes. However, I am a hobbyist and I don't shoot all that often.

Still, it can happen, and if you want to be a politician or a teacher, you may want to reconsider.

I was very nervous my first few nude shoots. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it, even though I always wanted to try. If you are okay with your pictures being "out there," you might as well try. You don't have to do it a second time if you don't enjoy it.

Yeh, I try and not photograph nude because I'm not getting any younger and the cold makes my back ache, and things sometime get caught in my tripod.....Oh you meant the model being nude?...oh that's different, I'm all for that.

But seriously, that's where the money is, and you just need to find the right photographer who will capture it well.

A fun way to figure out if you're comfortable being nude is to do figure modeling for an artist (other than a photographer) or class. No pictures are taken, so your identity is safer and having several pairs of eyes all around the room makes you more aware of the way your body looks from different angles. Food for thought

I don't know Lance R but can say that I have shot quite a few models that do nudes first as it is one sure way to attract some high level players for great jobs.

Yet the key is how good the photographers are if it will help or hinder. Keep in mind your liking of doing this which is a good thing and the possibility of things going out on internet a whole other topic.

My first photo shoot was a nude one. It was kind of bizarre at first, but after a while I realized it really wasn't that big of a deal. You are both there with the knowledge that you are going to be nude. As long as there is professionalism and respectfulness, then everything should be just fine and you will get some nice shots.

Hunter Wald wrote: Please note that most of the comments you received are from men and photographers.

^^^ This! Considering the demographics of this site you shouldn't be surprised by the answers. I suggest posting in the Model Colloquy and looking for feedback from female models and not male photographers.

Hunter Wald wrote: I would suggest a fail safe mechanism on your first nude shoot if you can arrange something where there is no right to post, publish or make make public the shots if you do not agree or like the shots post shoot.

^^^ And this! If you decide to do it then explain your concerns to the photographer and if he really wants to work with you then he'll agree. If not then you probably avoided a bad first experience.

It's one thing if your BF is supportive but it's another if he's pressuring you with the idea there might be money involved. It's not his face or body that will be on the Interwebz. Also, PLEASE don't let the idea of being a "published model" get in the way of making a sound decision.

Understand that I'm not trying to discourage you but make you think because in the end it's all about what you're comfortable with, not your boyfriend, or the thousands of male photographers on MM who like to shoot "artistic nudes".

Good luck!

My first model's release for Nude photos has a specific clause which gives the model the right of first refusal on all images. After that, the model signs a standard model's release. Gives them a comfort level for a first time shoot to determine if they are really all that comfortable.

EmilyRebecca89 wrote: Hunter Wald - how would I go about posing nude for an art class? Also, if you are ever in the area, feel free and welcome to contact me for a "contribution only", or "mutual benefit of portfolios" thing. Or... of course even paying work, if interested.

Google "life drawing classes" then the name of whichever city you are in. Call these places and tell them you are interested, leave contact information, etc. If you call a large or small college or university, ask to speak with the model co-ordinator. It is their specific job to book the models. If you are willing to pose nude for artists you will have many more opportunities to make money in this type of modeling. It's no big deal. You drop your robe and start posing. They work with nude people constantly and they don't care if you are not perfect. They just want you to do some dynamic/interesting poses, and to be able to hold those poses. If you do those things, and also are not late, you will probably get a decent amount of work.

Tell whoever you speak with to feel free to pass on your contact information to any other artists or instructors. (They talk to each other all the time.)

That's because she was employed as a teacher & everyone down the line from her, the principle, & the school board has to deal with hyperprotective idiot parents who freak out about their kids seeing a little boobage but have no quams about them seeing a person get their brains blown out & blood splatter everywhere.

Scott T Murphy wrote: There is a GREAT misconception amongst models that if they are going to succeed in modeling that they have to strip. The reality is that nothing could be the farthest from the truth. You DO NOT have to take your clothes off to be a successful model. But you can sure as shit destroy things by doing it, just ask Venessa Williams. She stripped for Penthouse and did some racy girl on girl shots and it cost her her Miss America crown.

Vanessa Willams' career was destroyed by the discovery of her posing nude?! Sure coulda fooled me (even at the time of the incident).

rosiemarieisme wrote: i am having a tough time figuring this out
i have 2 weeks off in october so i am hoping to model my first time ever then
right now ive been offered money to do nude sort of uncertain

If you are uncertain then don't do it. Wait until you are very certain that you want to. Money now could be a good thing but it might not be worth to you in the future depending on what you do in the future.

Scott T Murphy wrote: There is a GREAT misconception amongst models that if they are going to succeed in modeling that they have to strip. The reality is that nothing could be the farthest from the truth. You DO NOT have to take your clothes off to be a successful model. But you can sure as shit destroy things by doing it, just ask Venessa Williams. She stripped for Penthouse and did some racy girl on girl shots and it cost her her Miss America crown.

Farenell Photography wrote: Vanessa Willams' career was destroyed by the discovery of her posing nude?! Sure coulda fooled me (even at the time of the incident).

Scott T Murphy wrote: Just how old are you anyway? Were you even alive or out of diapers back then? She LOST her Miss America crown because of it!!

*snickers*

Looks like someone needs a chill pill.

There's a big difference between having ones pageant win revoked (or forced to relinquish it early) & having ones career "destroyed." Considering the event that "destroyed" her career ended up landing her a lucrative record deal, I'd say its a helluva testament to how a person can bounce back from life speed bump. Where one person sees a problem, another person can see an opportunity.

That depends if you actually have a "career" Modeling, Is your agency/company against it? Are you expecting to "make it big" and think it will hurt you? You'll have to talk to your people and find out. We cant really answer your question since you say it's a "career"

My thoughts on nudes is such that, just like everything in life, your choices will have a reaction, whether good or bad. Having said that, whether one should model nudes or not depends on the person's future. Is the personal heading into a public (government) profession? A professional career like a physician or an attorney?

Next is the location of the person. Is the person living and working in LA, SF, or NY?

After that, the question of the quality of the nudes. I find the nudes—both in the 18+ men and women's "contests" on this site abysmal and an abomination. If the person thinking of doing nudes, what are the chances of procuring an artisan like Mr. Ken Marcus in a small town, closed-minded city?!

Unless Mr. Marcus or similar artisan is deciding to pack up his or her LA studio and living in the middle-of-nowhere . . . that's unlikely.

Bottom line line is this: nudity still is not everyone's cup of tea. Whether you should model nude depends on the aforementioned factors. Are your nudes going to look exactly like Playboy nudes or some GWC smut, as seen in the 18+ contests on this site?!?!